MCC Homeschooler s Guide to Applying to a Four-year College

MCC Homeschooler s Guide to Applying to a Four-year College

TABLE OF CONTENTS Admissions Checklist... 1 Timeline... 2 College Visit Chart... 4 Visit Questions... 5 Parents Role... 6 Understanding Financial Aid... 7 About Testing... 8 Sample Activity Sheet... 10 Glossary of Terms... 11 Resources... 14 Acknowledgements... 15

Introduction I have had the privilege to work with many talented students at Monroe Community College who were homeschooled. A few years ago, I was asked by a student, who had been attending MCC since she was 15, if I would fill out her High School Counselor Recommendation Form on her college applications. Suddenly, I had been assigned a whole new job High School Counselor. Since that time, I have filled out a number of these forms, provided letters of recommendations and helped students and parents through the maze of the college selection process. I have often thought I should create a handbook for homeschool students who are applying to 4 year colleges. I wanted to model it after Sodus High School Counseling Office s College Planning Handbook. Well, I not only modeled after theirs, I flat out stole most of their information.with permission! So, I hope this handbook is helpful and I plan on updating it regularly, as it and I are a work in progress! Donna Burke Associate Director of Admissions Monroe Community College

Admissions Checklist Transcripts SAT ACT Homeschool transcript Letter from School District Superintendent (if required) Portfolio College GED (if required) Activities Resume Essay (if required) Letters of recommendation 1

Timeline One year before applying: Fall : Start to think about possible majors and colleges that may interest you. Start a list for both. Questions about college characteristics: Large or small? Private or Public? Liberal Arts, Business or Technical Focus? Urban or rural? Near/in Rochester? New York State? Out of State? Quality & type of programs offered? Placement? Career focus? Academic quality? Scholarship opportunities? Cost? Financial aid? Loan debt? Campus facilities & atmosphere? Take the SAT (www.collegeboard.com) and/or ACT (www.actstudent.org) Late Fall: Research the colleges you are interested in on-line (see list of on-line resources). Start a list of colleges you would like to visit in the Spring. Visit MCC s Career Center (Building 3 Room 108) to research colleges, or do a self assessment such as DISCOVER. Develop a list of questions you are interested in asking a college representative (see Visit Questions). Spring: Visit colleges. Start by calling colleges to see if they have tours, open houses or other special visit days or programs. Some colleges have on-line chat sessions for you to ask questions. Take or repeat the SAT/ACT if you chose to. Summer: Make sure you use your summers to have a unique experience such as a job, travel, volunteer work, take college courses etc. Call colleges to see if they have special summer visit programs. 2

Timeline (cont.) Fall of applying to college (the year before you actually attend): September: Right after classes begin, stop by MCC s Career Center (Building 3 Room 108) to find out what four-year colleges will be visiting MCC this fall and when. Request admissions applications for colleges you are interested in. Arrange for another visit to colleges-- call to find out tour or open house. Take or repeat the SAT/ACT if needed. October: Ask references to write letters of recommendation, if required. Give your references an activities resume and let them know when you need the letter written by. November/December: Mail in applications according to deadline dates 3

College Visit Chart It is easy to arrange for a campus visit. Just call the Admissions Office for schools you are interested in and ask if they have any tours, upcoming open houses or other special visit programs. Usually tours are somewhat informal. It is not suggested that the student dress up for the visit, but should have a neat appearance. If the student was going for a formal interview, then dressing more formally is recommend. College Name Address Total Cost/Financial Aid Annual Room & Board Cost Admissions Requirements Application Deadline Scholarships Available? Impression of Campus Things I Liked About This College Things I Did Not Like or Have Concerns About 4

Visit Questions 1. Do you have any special admissions requirements for homeschooled students? (i.e. GED, portfolio?) 2. Can I be in on-campus housing even though I am coming into the college with previous college credit? 3. What scholarships might I be eligible for? 4. Is there an application fee and is there waiver criteria? 5. Do you have a study abroad program? 6. Describe the background of faculty. Who teaches your introductory courses? 7. What type of religious/spiritual activities are there on campus? 8. Do you offer co-ops or internships? 5

Parents Role Parents play a key role in assisting their son/daughter in making the decision about where to attend college. However, after you pull out of the dorm parking lot or after your son/daughter leaves the house to drive to school, they are on their own. The student must play an active and enthusiastic role in choosing the college they will be attending. Parents can provide a stable sounding board for students to seek feedback, measure the pros and cons, and bring up points/issues the student has not yet thought of. It is a difficult balancing act for parents. Here are some questions you can ask college reps or students during campus visits: 1. What is the typical class size? 2. What do you (a student) like most and least about the college? 3. What do students do for fun? 4. Do a lot of students go home on weekends? 5. What career-related services does the college offer? 6. What types of scholarships does the college offer? 7. What safety measures are in place -- around campus and in the residence halls? Questions to ask your son/daughter after the visit: 1. What did you like best and least about that college? 2. Can you see yourself there? 3. Did you feel you related to the students and activities you saw? 4. Are you clear about what college characteristics are important to you? Does this college meet some of those characteristics? Letters of recommendation: A word about letters of recommendation..while you, as the student s primary educator, most likely know your son or daughter best both academically and personally, it is still best to get letters of recommendations from objective third parties such as coaches, scout leaders, music instructors, pastors, college professors, other parents who have taught your son or daughter. 6

Understanding Financial Aid Financial Aid can often seem overwhelming for families applying for the first time. However, there are a lot of resources out there to help. Most colleges have their own financial aid applications and deadlines to apply. So make sure you ask each college about their financial aid process. Most colleges will require that you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application (www.fafsa.ed.gov). This application is usually available the January before the student will attend the college. Financial need is calculated by the Federal Government as Total Cost of Education - Expected Family contribution=financial Need. After you complete the FAFSA application, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), explaining the information you supplied on the FAFSA, incomplete information that needs to be corrected and your estimated family contribution (EFC). The following items are used in determining a family s EFC: Parents annual income, family assets ( savings, investments, etc), student s income and assets, family size and number of family members attending college. Types of Aid: Grants/Scholarships: Money awarded that do not need to be paid back by the student. Grants are usually based on financial need (i.e.pell Grants from the Federal Government and Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) in New York State). Scholarships can be based on need, merit or both. Loans: Loans need to be paid back. There are a variety of types of loans: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford, Federal Parents Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Federal Supplemental Loans for Students, Federal Direct student Loan Program Federal Work Study: Need based program in which students can earn additional financial aid by working on campus. 7

What s all this about tests? Whether many of us disagree with the idea that our sons and daughters are being assessed by some standardized test, the reality is that most four-year colleges and universities still require either the SAT or ACT for admission. Some schools will waive the exam after a student completes 25-30 college credits-so you need to ask the colleges you are interested in what is their policy on required tests. The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is offered in mid-october. There are two reasons a student would choose to take this test - to practice for the SAT and to qualify for National Merit Scholarships. The format of the PSAT consists of two 30-minute verbal sections, two 30-minute mathematical sections and one writing practice section. The PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) scores are reported to you, to any colleges you designate, and to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which awards 2,000 National Merit $2,000 Scholarships to students throughout the United States. The PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin contains a sample PSAT test and further information about the PSAT test. The current cost of the test is $12. SAT I (Scholastic Aptitude Test) www.collegeboard.com: The Scholastic Aptitude Test I is a three to four hour test made up of multiple choice questions for critical reading, math and writing skills and a written essay. Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800 for a total possible score of 2400. The multiple choice questions of the critical reading section test your vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and reading comprehension skills. The math questions test your ability to solve problems involving arithmetic, algebra and geometry. The writing section consists of multiple choice questions and a written essay. The multiple choice questions test your ability to identify sentence errors; improve sentences and paragraphs. The essay assesses students ability to write on demand. The SAT I test also includes another 30-minute math or verbal section which does not count toward your scores, but is used to test questions which may be used in future SAT I tests. This is referred to as the experimental section. The cost of the test is $41.50. There are a number of activities that you can perform to prepare for the SAT I test. The PSAT test is a preliminary test for the SAT I. Taking it allows you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with SAT-type test questions as well as experience a formal testing situation. There is also an SAT preparation course offered by MCC s Workforce Development Office. Local bookstores and computer stores have a variety of preparation manuals. 8

What s all this about tests? (cont.) The Scholastic Aptitude Test II: Subject Tests (SAT II): The Scholastic Aptitude Test II: Subject Tests (SAT II) are often taken at the end of the junior year or at the mid-point of the senior year. The SAT II is administered in a variety of academic subjects and is designed to test the level of knowledge of student in particular academic disciplines in relation to other students throughout the country. The SAT II is scored on the same 200 to 800 basis as the SAT I. Some colleges use the SAT II for placement in various levels of freshman courses; some use it as an additional indicator in the admissions process. The SAT II tests available fall under five subject areas: English - Writing, Literature. (Note: The writing test may be eliminated due to changes in the SAT I, which now includes a writing section.) Foreign Languages - French, French Listening, German, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese Listening, Latin, Spanish Reading, Spanish Listening, Chinese Listening, Korean Listening, English Proficiency. History and Social Studies - American History and Social Studies, World History. Mathematics - Mathematics Level I, Mathematics Level IC, Mathematics Level IIC (Calculator). Sciences - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biology E/M. Each SAT II test takes one hour of testing time, and all consist entirely of multiple-choice questions except the English Writing Test with Essay, which consists of a twenty-minute essay and a forty-minute multiple-choice test. Some colleges require certain SAT II tests for admission. An additional administration fee is charged for the SAT II. ACT (American College Testing) www.act.org and www.actstudent.org The American College Testing Assessment (ACT) consists of tests in four subject areas: English, Mathematics, Reading and Science Reasoning. Each of these tests contains multiple-choice questions that offer four or five choices for the best or correct answer. Each of the tests is timed. The English test contains 75 questions and has a 45-minute time limit; the Mathematics test allows 60 minutes to answer 60 questions; the Reading test takes 35 minutes and contains 40 questions; the Science Reasoning test is given in 35 minutes and has 40 questions Each test section is scored on a scale of 1-36 and a composite score is the average of all (4) subtests. The current cost of the test is $29.00. In the U.S., the ACT is administered on five national test dates in October, December, February, April, and June. In selected states, the ACT is also offered in late September. 9

Sample Activity Sheet Sally Freshmen 18 Transfer Way Collegetown, NY Academic Activities: May 2004 September 2005 December 2005 June 2006-August 2006 NASA Science Camp, Kennedy Space Center, Florida National Spelling Bee Champion Published My life in poems Italian Language School, Milan Italy Career Exploration: May 2003 June 2003 June 2004 Shadowed a Radiologist once a week for 6 weeks Volunteered as an intern at radio station, WWME Community Service: June 2004-Present July 2005 Volunteer, Collegetown Nursing Home Habitat for Humanity Hobbies/Interests: Violin lessons, Collegetown Singers, Skiing, Mountain Climbing, Orienteering, President of the Collegetown Homeschoolers Youth Group, Knitting, Black Belt-Kung Fo Karate School 10

Glossary of terms Accreditation: The recognition of a college or university by any of the regional or national accrediting bodies indicating that the institution as a whole has been judged to be meeting its objectives. ACT Assessment (ACT): The group of tests administered by The American College Testing Program and required or recommended by many colleges as part of the admission process. They measure educational development in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning. These tests are given at specified test centers throughout the year. Admissions Testing Program (ATP): The name given by the College Board to the array of tests used in the college admissions process. College Calendars: Traditional Semester: Two approximately equal semesters. Early Semester: Two semesters, the first semester is completed before Christmas. Quarter: Three equal terms of about twelve weeks each. Trimester: A calendar year divided into three equal semesters, a third semester replaces summer school. 4-1-4: Two equal terms of about 16 weeks each, with a 4-week interim term. College Board: A nonprofit organization governed by college and secondary school members. The College Board is the overseeing agency for many tests and services connected with the college admissions process. College Work-Study Programs: A federally supported program that provides work compensation to students who demonstrate need and who are willing to be employed at the college. Cooperative Work-Study Education: A program in which the student alternates between full-time college studies and full-time paid employment related to the area of study. Under this plan, the bachelor's degree often requires five years to complete. Common Application: A common application that allows a student to fill out one application form and photocopy the application and recommendation forms for filing at more than one college. You should check with the admissions office to see if a college will accept the Common Application and if any supplements are required. Check with the counseling office to see which forms are available. Deferred Admission: The practice of some colleges of allowing an accepted student to postpone enrollment for one year. Early Action: An admission program used primarily in highly selective colleges. Early Action follows the same application/notification timetable as Early Decision but allows the accepted candidates until May 1st to accept or decline the offer of admission. Under Early Action programs, it is possible for an applicant to be denied admission outright and not automatically deferred for later consideration. If your junior year credentials are not truly superior, you may be careful about applying under a plan, which could harm your chance for admission. **Important Note: There are several variations of Early Decision and Early Action at different colleges. Read the literature of each college carefully and ask questions if you do not understand the program entirely. 11

Glossary of terms (cont.) Early Admission: A college admitting students of superior ability into college courses and programs before they have completed the standard high school program. Early Decision: An Early Decision (E.D.) is a plan under which a student applies to the first-choice college early in the fall (usually by November 1st) of the senior year and agrees by contract to enter that college if offered admission. Decisions are rendered to Early Decision applications in early December. If not accepted under Early Decision, a student is usually reconsidered for admission later in the senior year. A student should not apply to more than one college under an Early Decision plan, since the student is usually required to withdraw any applications which might have been filed at other colleges while awaiting the decision of the Early Decision college. Early Decision applicants are judged on the basis of their junior year test scores, class rank and grades. It is also important to note that if you have a definite first-choice college, you might apply Early Decision to signify the level of interest in that college. Enrollment Deposit: A non-refundable deposit is required of accepted students at many colleges and universities to reserve a space in the incoming class. Educational Testing Service (ETS): A nonprofit agency employed by the College Board to produce its tests. Estimated Family Contribution: The amount an outside agency estimates that you and your family should be able to contribute to the costs of your college education, as determined by such factors as your parent's income, assets and debts; your earnings and savings; and the number of children in your family currently in college. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): A Student must file this free application, distributed in December of the senior year, to obtain any federal assistance (i.e. grants, loans, work study). CCS/Financial Aid Profile: A form used by the College Scholarship Service to collect information about the student's total family income, assets, and expenses, and to analyze the family's potential contribution toward college expenses. Grade Point Average (GPA): An indicator of the student's overall scholastic performance. The GPA is computed by totaling the number of grade points earned in each course (generally, A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) and then dividing the sum by the total number of courses carried. January Admission: A college admission policy, which admits freshmen to begin study in the middle of the academic year. January admission may be an option worthy of investigation for students who might graduate a term or semester early from high school. National Merit Scholarships: The National Merit Scholarships are given to students who are selected on the basis of PSAT/NMSQT scores and other criteria to be Merit Scholars. Pell Grant: Financial assistance, awarded by the federal government on the basis of need designed to provide the basis of any aid package for post-secondary education. The grant may be used toward tuition, room and board, books or other educational costs and requires no repayment. PLAN: A practice ACT test for sophomores. This program also has an interest inventory to start student's search into the career field that is well suited to them. A study skills portion also gives information on the student's present work habits. 12

Glossary of terms (cont.) Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT): A program designed to provide a practice test for juniors as a warm-up for the SAT I. Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC): Air Force, Army and Navy programs on certain campuses which combine military education with baccalaureate degree study, often with financial support for those students who commit themselves to future service in the Armed Forces. Rolling Admissions: A process used by most colleges in the country which may vary in several ways, but the most significant variation follows: A college using rolling admissions will review applications as the application (and all the supporting data) are completed and will return decisions within a few weeks after completion. Another variation in the process is that some colleges send decisions as soon as the application is completed and reviewed, regardless of the time of year. Other colleges will accumulate applications and send decisions only after a particular date. Scholastic Aptitude Test I: Reasoning Tests (SAT I): Test of verbal and mathematical abilities given by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEED) at specified test centers throughout the year. Required or recommended by colleges as part of the admission process. Scholastic Aptitude Test II: Subject Tests (SAT II): Often taken at the end of the junior year and possibly in the fall of the senior year. SAT II tests are administered in a variety of academic subjects and are designed to test the level of knowledge of a student in particular academic discipline in relation to other students throughout the country. SAT II are scored on the same 200 to 800 basis as the SAT I. Some colleges use the SAT II for placement in various levels of freshman courses; some use them as an additional indicator in the admissions process. The SAT II is part of the Admissions Testing Program (ATP) of the College Entrance Examination Board. Stafford Loan: The Stafford Loan allows students and parents to borrow through local lenders and have their loans guaranteed against default by the government. Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): A New York State grant program based on net taxable income, which can only be applied to schools in New York State. TAP applications will automatically be mailed once you have filled out and sent a FAFSA application, which lists a New York State College. Waiting List: A list of students who were not initially accepted by an institution but who will be accepted at a later date if space becomes available. In many cases, waiting list candidates are not notified of the final decision until late in the summer. 13

Resources College entrance exams/college Search: www.act.org/www.actstudent.org www.collegeboard.org www.petersons.com www.collegeview.com www.suny.edu www.c3apply.org www.nextstepmagazine.com Financial Aid: www.finaid.org www.fafsa.ed.gov www.hesc.com www.fastweb.com -Scholarship search Career/Majors: www.nycareerzone.org www.nymentor.com List Others You Find For Future Reference: 14

Acknowledgements The most important acknowledgement goes to our homeschooled students. Their success is the result of their listening to their conscience, believing that their dreams have value, and honoring vision with hard work and commitment. At MCC, we are very proud of our homeschooled students and consider them as among our very best. I would like to thank the following for assisting me in developing this document: Sodus High School Counseling Office for allowing me to borrow some of their College Planning Handbook. Sarah Hagreen, Sandy Andolsek, and Christine Casalinuovo-Adams from the MCC Admissions Office assisted in gathering this information for MCC s homeschooled students. Developed by, Donna Burke Last updated March 2007 15